Estelle R. Zukowski, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at her residence in Water’s Edge Care Center in Hayward, WI.

She was born on February 28, 1932 in the west side of Chicago, IL, the daughter of John and Evelyn (Cunningham) Crapia. She was united in marriage to Rudolph Zukowski on June 16, 1949 in Chicago, IL.

Estelle attended Harrison High School in the mid 1940’s. Estelle loved high school. She was captain of the cheerleading team, worked on the school newspaper and was part of several other clubs through those years. Estelle met her future husband, Rudy Zukowski at Harrison. He was two years her senior and a big football star. Estelle and Rudy married in 1949 and started their family shortly after Estelle graduated and Rudy returned from the Army Air Corps. Life was hard with three kids, but the couple worked hard to escape poverty.

They bought their first home in the near west suburbs of Chicago. Rudy became an Allstate Agent and Estelle had a good union job in the truck line industry.  Together they provided a good solid middle-class life. Family vacations were in Hayward, so when they retired, Estelle and Rudy moved to Nelson Lake. Estelle loved her retirement and had wonderful friends who called themselves “The Lunch Bunch”. When Rudy passed, Estelle moved to a townhouse in the Stonewood subdivision in Hayward. She was very happy living there. Estelle enjoyed many hobbies such as bowling and golfing, was a voracious reader, and loved shopping garage sales and vintage shops and flea markets. She supported the Northwoods Humane Society where she adopted her Siamese Cat, Coco. She volunteered for the Salvation Army ringing the Christmas Bell at Marketplace, for Regional Hospice, was an Adorer at the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel, and served as the secretary for many years on the Stonewood Housing Association. She loved her wild birds and fed them all winter. Due to declining health, she moved to Waters Edge Senior Living where she spent the rest of her life.

She is survived by her children, Gary (Virginia Lee) Zukowski of Boulder, CO, Christine Weitzenkamp of Shell Lake, WI and Catherine (Circus Szalewski) Zukowski of Los Angeles, CA; her granddaughter, Jennifer Zukowski of Denver, CO; her grandson, Jesse Zukowski of Boulder, CO; her brother, Lawrence (Karen) Caprio of Florence, AZ; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Estelle is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rudolph; her brother, Donald Crapia; her sister, Anita Huspek; her son-in-law, Wayne Weitzenkamp.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 21, 2024 at Hayward Funeral Home, 15571 W County Highway B in Hayward where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. A light lunch will follow at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Northwoods Human Society, P.O. Box 82, Hayward, WI 54843.

Last Update: Jun 19, 2024 2:26 pm CDT